The Irish Young Rider (U21) Show Jumping team have finished as joint runners-up in today’s Future Champions Young Rider Nations Cup at Hagen in Germany. The result caps a superb day for Irish Children, Junior and Young Rider Chef d’Equipe James Kernan, who earlier saw his Junior team also finish as joint runners-up in their Nations Cup at the same venue.

The Irish Young Rider team were on 17 faults at the halfway stage and a brilliant second round performance saw them add just four faults in the second round. Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio (ISH) picked up eight faults in the first round and jumped a perfect clear second time out. Sofie Slattery and Valentine Du Bois Pinchet finished with five faults in the first round and eight faults in the second. Lucinda Roche and WCE Falco (ISH) lowered a single rail in the first round before a foot perfect clear in round two. Hannah Patterson and Daberlina M had nine faults in the opening round and lowered just one fence in the second round.

This left Ireland on a 21 fault total, the same score as Denmark who shared second place with the Irish. The Italian team took the winners prize less than one fence ahead of Ireland on 18 faults, in a competition that attracted nine teams.

Speaking afterwards, a delighted Chef d’Equipe James Kernan paid tribute to a superb effort by both Irish teams:

“I am so proud of our riders, I could not be happier. The Young Rider course here today was Championship level, 1m50/1m55 and to come here to Germany – the home of Show Jumping, and push the home team off the podium in an incredible achievement. Two of our riders, Hannah and Jonathan never jumped on an Irish team outside of Ireland before today and all our riders deserve unbelievable credit for what they achieved. We were the fighting Irish today, coming back from fifth place at halfway to finish joint second.

James Kernan continued:

“Our Junior team were outstanding and they all rode brilliantly to also finish second in a really tough competition. I firmly believe we have the best riders in the world. I am delighted for each and every one of them.”

Earlier on Friday, the Irish Junior (U18) Show Jumping team also finished as joint runners-up in the Junior Nations Cup at Hagen, again under the guidance of Team Manager James Kernan.

Both Cormac Foley (Ballylynch Wizard) and Jessica Kuehnle (Chrysander H) produced foot-perfect double clear rounds, while Patrick Hickey and Quandurina finished with one fence down in each round.
Ireland finished on a two round total of just eight faults – the same score as Germany and France who shared second place with the Irish team. Austria took the winners trophy on a zero score in a competition that saw 12 nations compete.